The Kansas City Chiefs have announced additional details for Red Wednesday, the 2023 edition of the club's traditional Red Friday celebration that will take place on Wednesday, September 6. The 32nd edition of the legacy event will take place the day before the Chiefs host the Detroit Lions for the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game.
For the 10th consecutive year, the club will sell a limited-edition commemorative flag for a minimum donation of $5 to celebrate this annual tradition and benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. This year's flag – featuring a special championship design to honor the team's victory in Super Bowl LVII – will be sold at more than 135 Kansas City- and St. Joseph-area McDonald's restaurants, Kansas City-area Hy-Vee locations and at street corners and other public locations throughout the metro area. Net proceeds from flag sales will again benefit RMHC-KC. A complete map of flag sale locations is available at www.chiefs.com/redwednesday/.
Over the past nine years, the sale of Red Friday flags has raised more than $4.5 million to help RMHC-KC continue its mission of keeping families close in times of sickness and need. Fans who don't live in the greater Kansas City and St. Joseph areas can secure their flags online at shop.chiefs.com beginning the morning of Wednesday, September 6 for $10, with both domestic and international shipping options available for online orders. Net proceeds from online sales domestically will also benefit RMHC-KC.
"Red Friday – Red Wednesday this year – remains one of the longest-running and most impactful traditions that our organization has, and the way that the community rallies around the team to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City continues to amaze and inspire us each year," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "This year is set up to be another record-breaking year for flag sales, and we can't wait to celebrate Red Wednesday and the start of the 2023 football season with Chiefs Kingdom while supporting such a great organization and the families it serves."
Red Wednesday (Red Friday) honors the long-standing tradition of selling team-themed commemorative items around the city to raise money for local charities that was started by Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt and the Chiefs Red Coaters in 1992. Since the inception of Red Friday, newspaper, magazine and flag sales have raised approximately $6 million for local charities with an emphasis on assisting youth in need.
Once again, this year's celebration will kick off in the week leading up to Red Wednesday and will continue through the home opener against the Lions with a number of events and other opportunities for Chiefs Kingdom to connect with the club and with each other in-person and online.
First Fridays with the Chiefs – Friday, September 1
For the second-consecutive year, the Chiefs are working alongside the First Fridays committee to create "First Fridays with the Chiefs." This event will support the vibrant arts scene in the Kansas City Crossroads Arts District, while also giving attendees a chance to celebrate the club's Super Bowl LVII championship as well as look ahead to the start of the 2023 Chiefs season.
As part of the First Fridays celebration, the Chiefs will host the final Champions Tour stop of the offseason from 5 – 9 p.m. with the Kingdom Cruiser bus being at the corner of 19th and Wyandotte, as well as the club's Super Bowl LVII Lombardi Trophy available for photos at Mildred's Food + Drink (1901 Wyandotte St.). The themed area will also feature a live DJ and appearances by KC Wolf, Chiefs Cheer and the Rumble Drumline. For more information on First Fridays, visit www.kccrossroads.org/first-fridays/.
Chiefs Mural – Friday, September 1
Local artist and custom muralist Phil "Sike Style" Shafer designed and painted a new custom "How 'Bout Those Chiefs" mural near 18th and Locust in the Crossroads Arts District. Featuring a Super Bowl Champions logo and confetti design, fans are encouraged to take photos and share on their social accounts for Red Wednesday.
Flag Sales – Wednesday, September 6
Chiefs Kingdom flags will be available at Kansas City- and St. Joseph-area McDonald's locations beginning Wednesday morning. Flags will also be available at Kansas City-area Hy-Vee locations and at street corners throughout the metro. Fans outside of the Kansas City and St. Joseph areas can secure their flag at shop.chiefs.com beginning Wednesday morning. Like in-person flag purchases, flags purchased online domestically will benefit RMHC-KC. Fans are encouraged to use the #RedWednesday hashtag on their social media channels when they secure their flag.
Red Wednesday Run presented by GEHA – Wednesday, September 6
The fourth-annual Red Wednesday Run presented by GEHA virtual 5K is officially set for Wednesday, September 6. While Red Wednesday serves as the official day of the race, participants can run any time prior to Sunday, October 1 once they're registered. With no official racecourse for the event, Chiefs fans throughout the country and all over the world can participate in the Red Wednesday Run by running or walking in their neighborhood, in a local park, on a nature trail or from their treadmill.
Registration is currently open at www.chiefs.com/redwednesdayrun/. All registrants will receive this year's special edition Red Wednesday flag benefiting RMHC-KC and a Red Wednesday Run t-shirt mailed directly to the address provided during registration. Additionally, all race participants will receive a GEHA wellness pack and a 30-day all-access pass redeemable at either Chiefs Fit location, as well as the option to add on an exclusive athletic pullover to their race registration. Once participants complete the 5K, they're asked to take a photo in their Chiefs/Red Friday Run gear with their Red Friday flag and post on social media using #RedWednesday.
World's Largest Tailgate – Thursday, September 7
As part of the countdown to kickoff of the 2023 season, the Chiefs are inviting people from around the globe to join the World's Largest Tailgate presented by Bud Light. Whether a Kansas City transplant longing for the feeling of a hometown tailgate, or an international fan learning about the Chiefs and the club's tailgating culture, or a die-hard red and gold fan tuning in from their home in the heart of the Kingdom, all are invited to enjoy this special 90-minute virtual stage show and concert broadcast live from the Ford Tailgate District outside GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Hosted by Kansas City-born YouTube stars the Merrell Twins, the show will feature a performance by the American DJ/producer duo Two Friends, as well as segments with Saturday Night Live's Heidi Gardner, influencer Tabitha Swatosh, and appearances by Donna Kelce (mother of the Kelce brothers), Chiefs legends and other special guests. The 90-minute show will air live from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, September 7 at www.chiefslive.com. Fans can RSVP for their virtual seat to the show now. Fans attending the NFL Kickoff Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium can attend the live stage show and concert inside the Ford Tailgate District free of charge, although space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, Chiefs jerseys, flags, artwork, red lighting, and other visuals will start appearing around Kansas City beginning on Friday, September 1 as the city prepares for Red Wednesday and the start of the football season. Specific media opportunities, including interview, b-roll and visual opportunities will be distributed in the coming days.
Additional Red Wednesday information, including a map of sale locations in Kansas City and St. Joseph, as well as the link to purchase flags online, is available at www.chiefs.com/redwednesday/.
